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VA Licensed Clinical Psychologist Indicted on Medicare Fraud, Submitting False Medical Documents

15 Dec, 2022 F.J. Thomas

                               

Sarasota, FL (WorkersCompensation.com) – A former VA psychologist could be facing a maximum of 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if found guilty for making false statements and obstructing justice.

Licensed clinical psychologist Theresa Kelly of Herrin, Illinois was recently charged after a federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment for her alleged role in fraudulently seeking medical leave without valid documentation, and for submitting false medical documents related to a VA lawsuit from 2020. Additionally, Kelly has been charged in a scheme in which she allegedly billed Medicare for services at an area nursing home that were never actually provided. 

Aged 56, Kelly was employed by the VA medical center in Marion, Illinois. A graduate of the Illinois School Of Professional Psychology in 2007, Kelly specialized in clinical anxiety and trauma PTSD.

According to the press release, Kelly submitted letters and documentation related to treatment from a “Dr. K. William Dixon” and “Amy J. Aron, Ph.D.” in her request for reasonable accommodations and medical leave for FMLA. Investigators later determined there were no medical providers in Illinois by the names listed, and that the signatures had in fact been forged. 

According to allegations in the indictment, Kelly submitted false documentation to her attorney in seeking a continuance of judicial proceeding in the December 2020 case. When asked about the case, Kelly allegedly gave false statements to the VA regarding the false medical documents in an effort to conceal their nature. 

In addition to being employed by the V.A., Kelly also owned TS Onsite Mental Health, which was registered with a valid NPI for clinical social work, and was licensed to bill Medicare. According to the indictment, investigators allege that between May 2016 and January 2018, Kelly billed Medicare for psychiatric services for residents of Shawnee Christian Nursing Center. Investigators state there are over 400 claims equating to over $54,000 in reimbursement for services that were never rendered, and on days when Kelly had been approved for medical leave. 

Kelly is schedule for an arraignment at the federal courthouse in Benton on Dec. 19, 2022 before United States Magistrate, Judge Reona J. Daly. Charged with 6 counts, Kelly could be required to pay back the $54,000 Medicare reimbursement in addition to fines as high as $250,000, and the ten year prison term. 

The case was investigated by VA-OIG and HHS-OIG. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe J. Gross is the prosecuting attorney. 

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    About The Author

    • F.J. Thomas

      F.J. Thomas has worked in healthcare business for more than fifteen years in Tennessee. Her experience as a contract appeals analyst has given her an intimate grasp of the inner workings of both the provider and insurance world. Knowing first hand that the industry is constantly changing, she strives to find resources and information you can use.

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